Spartanburg County, SC (August 30, 2026) – Two people died early on Friday, August 28, after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the incident involved two separate crashes.
The Duncan Fire Department said emergency units were called around 3:25 a.m. for crashes near mile markers 61 and 63, near the Highway 290 exit. Troopers said one incident was minor, while the second crash resulted in two deaths. The fatal collision involved a 2015 Hyundai and a 2023 Hyundai.
Troopers said the 2015 Hyundai was traveling north in the southbound lanes when it struck the 2023 Hyundai. Both drivers died at the scene. The coroner identified them as 28-year-old Anthony Joseph Astorini of Moore and 64-year-old Maurice Levernon Mitchell of Greer. The incident remains under review as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the wrong-way collision.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of Anthony Joseph Astorini and Maurice Levernon Mitchell.
What Makes Wrong-Way Crashes on Interstate Highways Dangerous?
Wrong-way crashes can be especially severe because vehicles may approach each other at highway speeds with little time to react. The direction of travel can also increase the force of a head-on impact.
Factors examined after a wrong-way accident can include roadway signs, lane markings, lighting, vehicle positions, and available video footage. Investigators may also review witness statements and other evidence to establish how a vehicle entered opposing traffic.
The severity of these collisions can depend on vehicle speed, impact angle, vehicle size, and whether seat belts and other safety features protected occupants. Quick identification of a wrong-way vehicle can also help reduce the risk of additional collisions.
